Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice

As the bestselling nursing research text, Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice, 6th Edition offers unique insights into understanding, appraising, and applying published research to evidence-based practice. It is known for its authoritative content, time-tested systematic approach, and unique research example format — newly redesigned for the sixth edition to better demonstrate how the steps of the research process relate to evidence-based nursing.

"This would be excellent for student nurses, nurses new to research or any nurse with an interest in research." Reviewed by: Helen Reeves, St Giles Walsall Hospice on behalf of Nursing Times, December 2015

• Authoritative content is written by two of the true pioneers in nursing research, who offer unique, first-hand insights into the field.
• Research examples provide practice in working with published studies, with many of the examples including Critical Appraisal and Implications for Practice sections.
• Clear, step-by-step organization introduces the research process and demonstrates how this systematic framework relates to evidence-based practice.
• Strong emphasis on evidence-based practice helps you develop skills in studying and appraising published research, so you are prepared for your role in working with research evidence.
• Critical Appraisal Guidelines boxes provide step-by-step guidance in appraising published research studies.
• Emphasis on critical appraisal versus critique reflects contemporary usage in nursing research and evidence-based practice.
• Balanced coverage of qualitative research prepares you to approach research questions and clinical questions with an unbiased view of the researcher's methodology.
• Presentation of two different appraisal processes covers both the traditional in-depth critical appraisal process that prepares you for graduate-level work in research, and the concise, practice-focused research appraisal process that equips you for quick and accurate evaluation of the applicability of research findings to clinical practice.

• NEW! Redesigned research example format includes research examples have been thoroughly redesigned with a clear hierarchy of subcategories.
• NEW! Improved focus on need-to-know content and greater use of bulleting, creative illustrations, and tables, employs a more consistent, streamlined approach from chapter to chapter.
• NEW! Updated research examples ensure you are learning through the most clinically relevant topics and studies.
• NEW! Detailed directions on how to critically appraise research syntheses ― such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, meta-syntheses, and mixed-methods systematic reviews ― increase your understanding of the types of research syntheses conducted in nursing and how to determine the quality of these syntheses and the relevance of their findings for practice.
• NEW! A unique emphasis on QSEN, aided by the input of a QSEN consultant, increases the book’s relevance to national curriculum standards and promotes the safe practice of nursing by using the most current research.
• NEW! Chapter on the Enhanced Literature Review provides guidelines for structure of reviews written for different purposes.
• NEW! More practically focused chapter on Outcomes Research better addresses the trending topic of outcomes research.
• NEW! Expanded coverage of mixed-methods research and translational research responds to the growing emphasis on these research emphases.
• NEW! Expanded coverage of cultural competency and cultural validity provides valuable information for providing care to diverse populations and understanding the validity of research instruments in various cultures.
• NEW! Quick-reference tools include a Brief Table of Contents, a new Levels of Knowledge illustration, and other evidence-based practice information inside the front cover. A Research Designs and Statistical Analysis Techniques Reference and a new Key to Statistical Symbols are located inside the back cover.
• NEW! Enhanced illustration program incorporates re-colorized illustrations and additional full-color illustrations in each chapter.
• NEW! Additional design enhancements include a special 1-column adaptation of the RN Design standard, table row separators, and newly designed chapter openers.